NEW YORK, Jul 20, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Elbow or forearm pain from tennis or
other activities -- tennis elbow -- may be eased with a specific exercise, U.S.
doctors say.
Lead author Timothy Tyler of the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and
Athletic Trauma in New York City says tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis
pain, was alleviated by a simple bar and strengthening exercise.
"Compared to other treatments for tennis elbow such as cortisone injections or
topical nitric oxide which require direct medical supervision and often side
effects, this treatment is not only cost effective, but dosage is not limited by
the patient having to come to a clinic," Tyler says in a statement.
The study randomized 21 patients with tennis elbow into two groups that both
received the wrist extensor stretching, ultrasound, cross-friction massage, heat
and ice for treatment.
However, one group also performed isolated eccentric wrist extensor
strengthening using the rubber bar -- Flexbar -- while the other group performed
isotonic wrist strengthening exercises. Patients using the rubber bar had vastly
better results on all scales, especially related to strength, the study says.
The findings were presented in Keystone, Colo., at the annual meeting of the
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.
URL: www.upi.com
Copyright 2009 by United Press International